Are almonds poisonous?

There are two types of almonds: bitter almonds and sweet almonds. Bitter almonds have slight toxicity, while sweet almonds are non-toxic. If almonds are to be used medicinally, they should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician to avoid errors.

Bitter almonds are the dried mature seeds of Prunus armeniaca (apricot), Prunus sibirica, Prunus mandshurica, or Prunus armeniaca var. ansu. They have a bitter taste and a slightly warm nature, with slight toxicity. They can enter the Lung and Large Intestine meridians, and have the effects of lowering qi, stopping cough and relieving asthma, as well as lubricating the intestines and alleviating constipation. They are mainly used to improve symptoms such as cough and asthma, chest fullness with excessive phlegm, and dry intestine-induced constipation.

Bitter almonds should not be taken internally in excessive amounts to avoid poisoning.

Sweet almonds are the sweet-tasting seeds of certain cultivars of apricot or Prunus armeniaca. They are classified as national basic insured drugs and are both food and medicine. They have a sweet taste and neutral nature, and also enter the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Their effects are similar to those of bitter almonds, but their medicinal properties are gentler, and they have better nourishing and moistening properties. They are mainly used for treating conditions such as cough and asthma due to deficiency, and constipation due to fluid depletion. Sweet almonds can be consumed as food and are generally non-toxic.

If an excessive amount of bitter almonds is consumed, leading to symptoms of poisoning such as dizziness, palpitations, headache, nausea, and vomiting, medical attention should be sought promptly to avoid delaying treatment.

It should be noted that due to almonds' intestine-lubricating effect, those with loose bowel movements should avoid taking them to prevent worsening diarrhea symptoms and damaging health.